Ka-Bar Knives

[Guest Risky Ruger]

Anyone a fan? I just bought one for survival situations and it looks pretty good.

[Guest Risky Ruger]

Also, is there a limit to length of knives in TN?

[nightrunner]

i really like the looks and reputation of them but beyond that i know nothing about them.

i know you can only carry a knife that is 4" or less in blade length but other than that, i have never heard of any other restrictions concerning size

[Guest bkelm18]

Correct, you can own a knife of any size, you just cannot carry one longer than 4" (blade length).

[Wingshooter]

How do they define carrying one? Just can't have it on your person in a public place? What about in the car? I'm pretty sure I have one over 4" in my hunting pack... is that illegal?

[Guest coldblackwind]

I like ka-bars, and have two, the regular old fashioned ka-bar, and a ka-bar bowie.

[Guest bkelm18]

How do they define carrying one? Just can't have it on your person in a public place? What about in the car? I'm pretty sure I have one over 4" in my hunting pack... is that illegal?

Well here's the law, you can interpret it how you want, but I'd say on or near you is considered carrying, same with a handgun. Can't say about hunting though.

39-17-1307. Unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon. —

(a) (1) A person commits an offense who carries with the intent to go armed a firearm, a knife with a blade length exceeding four inches (4²), or a club.

(2) (A) The first violation of subdivision (a)(1) is a Class C misdemeanor, and, in addition to possible imprisonment as provided by law, may be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500).

( A second or subsequent violation of subdivision (a)(1) is a Class B misdemeanor.

[Motasyco]

Pretty soon you'll have to go hunting with a rubber band, a paper clip, and a spatula.

[Wingshooter]

Well here's the law, you can interpret it how you want, but I'd say on or near you is considered carrying, same with a handgun. Can't say about hunting though.

I've read that quite a few times concerning a firearm - don't know why I didn't remember the knife part (or the club for that matter). Thanks for the reference.

[Guest Risky Ruger]

when SHTF I guess no one will really care what size knife you have. I plan to use it when camping or in the above situation.

[Oh Shoot]

It is a defense of carrying >4" knife if it is:

"(4) Incident to lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, sport shooting or other lawful activity;"

As with most "gray" areas, it's up to the LEO as to whether you would be charged.

Carrying on the way to hike in the mountains: probably not.

Stop off at a bar and get into an altercation: probably would.

Once you're "engaged" in the activity, mostly safe.

Etc.

Of course any LEO might charge you with something if you piss them off.

BACK ON TOPIC, I have 2 of the whopper Ka-Bars: the 9" blade bowie and the 8" camp knife. Haven't really used them. Heck, I might not - I just really like them. It makes me smile to hold them.

Ka-Bar makes some of the best and most durable knives in the world. There's a reason their USMC fighting knife has been used by every branch of our military at one time or another.

- OS

[Wingshooter]

It is a defense of carrying >4" knife if it is:

"(4) Incident to lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, sport shooting or other lawful activity;"

As with most "gray" areas, it's up to the LEO as to whether you would be charged.

Carrying on the way to hike in the mountains: probably not.

Stop off at a bar and get into an altercation: probably would.

Once you're "engaged" in the activity, mostly safe.

Etc.

Of course any LEO might charge you with something if you piss them off.

BACK ON TOPIC, I have 2 of the whopper Ka-Bars: the 9" blade bowie and the 8" camp knife. Haven't really used them. Heck, I might not - I just really like them. It makes me smile to hold them.

Ka-Bar makes some of the best and most durable knives in the world. There's a reason their USMC fighting knife has been used by every branch of our military at one time or another.

- OS

Good info.

I've had my eye on the USMC fighting knife for a while. I've heard nothing but good about Ka-Bar.

[oldblue1981]

I have had one for about 5 years now. Got it out the other night and put a fresh edge on it. Love that thing. It can be used as an axe, hammer, about anything. Makes for a pretty good knife to.

[Guest Risky Ruger]

What is the best technique to sharpen the ka bar? By the way, I have the 11 inch Machete Kabar. I'll attach a pic later when I figure out how.

[Guest Sec334]

No ka-bar, but I do have a pilot's survival knife made by Ontario Knife Co.

The ka-bar is next on the list.

Hey Ruger, I use an arkansas stone to sharpen mine. Instead of honing oil, I use kerosene for the lube. I read about it on another website and thought I would give it a try. The kero keeps the metal shavings out of the stone, according to the article. It will produce a good edge, the smell is a little rough though.

[Guest meadowmb]

I am not a ka-bar fan. I like cold steel knives personally

[hso]

The USMC Fighting/Utility Knife is a good knife, but there are better for the money (even within the KaBar line).

If you can't freehand sharpen with stones get one of the various ceramic sticks held in a "V" systems out there (Gatco, Spyderco, etc).

[Guest SUNTZU]

I have a Ka-Bar w/ whetstone. I sharpen mine with a belt sander.

[Guest mustangdave]

Big fan...I've owned a couple...I need to get me a new "fightin' knife"...I currently have a small "defensive" K-bar the I wear on my belt

[Guest forklift]

It is a defense of carrying >4" knife if it is:

"(4) Incident to lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, sport shooting or other lawful activity;"

Sorry, I didn't quite understand this... so it's ok to take a 5" + knife hunting on public (wma) land and my machette to a non-private campsite?

[Guest stovepipe]

Kabar's are great knives but you need to be careful about rust...

[Kelemvor]

How is Kabar's customer service? I carry a Kershaw folder for my "everyday" knife and their customer service is some of the best I have ever encountered. Also, how good does the steel that Kabar uses hold an edge? I assume that if it can rust, it must be fairly high carbon content...

Secondly, does a carry permit have no effect on allowing you to carry a larger knife?

[Guest SUNTZU]

Don't know about customer service as I've never had to use it. Once you get an edge on a Kabar, its pretty simple to maintain. It can be an adventure to get an edge on one, though. Carry permit allows you to carry a gun, but a bigger knife is too dangerous for a man with a gun, so no, no bigger knife for you.

[Guest ab28]

Don't know about customer service as I've never had to use it. Once you get an edge on a Kabar, its pretty simple to maintain. It can be an adventure to get an edge on one, though. Carry permit allows you to carry a gun, but a bigger knife is too dangerous for a man with a gun, so no, no bigger knife for you.

Bigger knife? My girlfriend always claimed four inches was enough.

[dispatch 510]

I carried one in the Marines, haven't had one since. Good knives.